Fiber optic cable assemblies and connector assemblies having a crimp ring and crimp body and methods of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

Fiber optic cable assemblies and methods of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a connector body having a body passageway and a body aperture. The connector assembly further includes a crimp ring, a crimp body and a locking element. The crimp ring includes a first end, a second end, a crimp ring passageway, and a crimp ring aperture. The crimp body includes a crimp body passageway and one or more crimp features. The crimp body is crimped to the cable jacket such that the strength members wrap around the cable jacket and are disposed between the crimp body and the cable jacket. The second end of the crimp ring is crimped to the crimp body. The locking element is disposed within the body aperture and the crimp ring aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 63/119,060 filed on Nov. 30, 2020, the content ofwhich is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

The disclosure is directed to fiber optic connectors and fiber opticcable assemblies and, more particularly, fiber optic connectors andfiber optic cable assemblies having a crimp ring and a crimp body tosecure a fiber optic connector to a fiber optic cable.

BACKGROUND

Optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications,including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and datatransmission. As bandwidth demands increase, optical fiber is migratingdeeper into communication networks such as in fiber to the premisesapplications such as FTTx, 5G and the like. As optical fiber extendsdeeper into communication networks there exist a need for building morecomplex and flexible fiber optic networks using fiber optic connectorsin a quick and easy manner.

Fiber optic connectors were developed for making plug and play opticalconnections at links or devices in the communication network such asterminals, cabinets, patch panels, and like. The fiber optic connectorsallow the distribution of optical signals within an optical network andprovide the flexibility of locating the devices in convenient locationsfor efficient network design and deployment and also deferringconnectivity and the associated expense until needed in thecommunication network.

Outdoor fiber optic cable assemblies, such as those including dual dropfiber cables, have a hardened connector on at least one end of the fiberoptic cable. The hardened connector should be securely attached to thefiber optic cable in a manner that provides reliable sealing and strainrelief. However, in some cases it may be desired to attached a certaintype of hardened connector to a fiber optic cable that was not designedto be attached to certain hardened connector.

Consequently, there exists an unresolved need for fiber optic connectordesigns that enable hardened connectors to be securely attached to fiberoptic cables..

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to connector assemblies and fiber optic cableassemblies. The embodiments described herein are directed to connectorassemblies and fiber optic cable assemblies including a crimp ring and acrimp body to securely attach the connector assembly to a fiber opticcable. Embodiments may be utilized to attach a connector to a type offiber optic cable that it was not designed to be attached to. Moreparticularly, strength members of the fiber optic cable are pulled backover a crimp body that is disposed on the cable jacket of the fiberoptic cable. A crimp ring is then crimped over the strength members andthe crimp body to secure the crimp ring to the strength members and thecrimp body. At least one locking element is used to secure a connectorbody of the connector to the crimp ring. Heat shrink elements are usedto provide sealing.

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a fiber optic cable assemblyincluding a fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The fiber opticcable has an optical fiber, strength members and a cable jacket. Theconnector assembly includes a connector body having a first end, asecond end, a body passageway extending from the first end to the secondend, and at least one body aperture at the second end. The connectorassembly further includes a crimp ring, a crimp body and at least onelocking element. The crimp ring includes a first end, a second end, acrimp ring passageway extending from the first end to the second end, atapered section between the first end and the second end, and at leastone crimp ring aperture at the second end. The first end has a smallerdiameter than the second end. The crimp body includes a first end, asecond end, a crimp body passageway extending between the first end andthe second end, and one or more crimp features. The fiber optic cable isdisposed within the crimp body passageway, the crimp ring passageway,and the body passageway. The crimp body is crimped to the cable jacketsuch that the strength members wrap around an outer surface of the cablejacket and are disposed between the crimp body and the cable jacket. Thesecond end of the crimp ring is crimped to the crimp body such that atleast a portion of the second end of the crimp ring is disposed withinthe one or more crimp features. The first end of the crimp ring isdisposed within the body passageway. The at least one locking element isdisposed within the at least one body aperture and the at least onecrimp ring aperture to secure the crimp ring to the connector body.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to including a dual dropfiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The dual drop fiber opticcable has an optical fiber, a sub-unit, strength members surrounding thesub-unit, and a cable jacket surrounding the strength members. Theconnector assembly includes a connector body having a first end, asecond end, a body passageway extending from the first end to the secondend, and at least one body aperture at the second end. The connectorassembly further includes a crimp ring, a crimp body, at least onelocking element, a first heat shrink element, and a second heat shrinkelement. The crimp ring includes a first end, a second end, a crimp ringpassageway extending from the first end to the second end, a taperedsection between the first end and the second end, and at least one crimpring aperture at the second end. The first end has a smaller diameterthan the second end. The crimp body includes a first end, a second end,a crimp body passageway extending between the first end and the secondend, and one or more crimp features. The fiber optic cable is disposedwithin the crimp body passageway, the crimp ring passageway, and thebody passageway. The crimp body is crimped to the cable jacket such thatthe strength members wrap around an outer surface of the cable jacketand are disposed between the crimp body and the cable jacket. The secondend of the crimp ring is crimped to the crimp body such that at least aportion of the second end of the crimp ring is disposed within the oneor more crimp features. The first end of the crimp ring is disposedwithin the body passageway and the sub-unit is disposed within the crimpring passageway. The at least one locking element is disposed within theat least one body aperture and the at least one crimp ring aperture tosecure the crimp ring to the connector body. The first heat shrinkelement is disposed about the connector body, the second end of thecrimp ring, and the cable jacket. The second heat shrink elementsurrounds a tight buffer surrounding the optical fiber that is withinthe sub-unit and an sub-unit jacket of the sub-unit.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a connector assemblyincluding a connector body, a crimp ring, a crimp body, and at least onelocking element. The connector body includes a first end, a second end,a body passageway extending from the first end to the second end, and atleast one body aperture at the second end. The crimp ring includes afirst end, a second end, a crimp ring passageway extending from thefirst end to the second end, a tapered section between the first end andthe second end, and at least one crimp ring aperture at the second end.The first end of the crimp ring has a smaller diameter than the secondend. The crimp body includes a first end, a second end, a crimp bodypassageway extending between the first end and the second end, and oneor more crimp features. The second end of the crimp ring is crimped tothe crimp body such that at least a portion of the second end of thecrimp ring is disposed within the one or more crimp features. The firstend of the crimp ring is disposed within the body passageway. The atleast one locking element is disposed within the at least one bodyaperture and the at least one crimp ring aperture to secure the crimpring to the connector body.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method offabricating a fiber optic cable assembly. The method includes preparinga dual drop fiber optic cable having an optical fiber, a sub-unit,strength members surrounding the sub-unit, and a cable jacketsurrounding the strength members. The sub-unit includes a tight buffersurrounding the optical fiber, inner strength members surrounding thetight buffer, and a sub-unit jacket surrounding the inner strengthmembers. The method further includes disposing a first heat shrinkelement on the cable jacket, disposing a second heat shrink element on aportion of the sub-unit jacket and a portion of the tight buffer and aproviding heat to the second heat shrink element, and disposing a crimpbody on the cable jacket. The crimp body includes a first end, a secondend, a crimp body passageway extending between the first end and thesecond end, and one or more crimp features. The method further includespulling back at least a portion of the strength members so that they areadjacent the crimp body, and disposing a crimp ring on the crimp body.The crimp body includes a first end, a second end, a crimp ringpassageway extending from the first end to the second end, a taperedsection between the first end and the second end, and at least one crimpring aperture at the second end. The first end has of the crimp ring asmaller diameter than the second end of the crimp ring. The sub-unit isdisposed within crimp ring passageway at the first end and the crimpbody is disposed within the crimp ring passageway at the second end. Themethod also includes applying a crimping force to crimp the crimp ringto the crimp body at the one or more crimp features, and inserting thedual drop fiber optic cable and the crimp ring into a body passageway ofa connector body. The connector body includes a first end, a second end,the body passageway extending from the first end to the second end, andat least one body aperture at the second end. The method also includesaligning the at least one body aperture of the connector body with theat least one crimp ring aperture of the crimp ring, and inserting atleast one locking element into the at least one body aperture of theconnector body and the at least one crimp ring aperture of the crimpring to secure the connector body to the crimp ring. The method furtherincludes applying heat to the first heat shrink element to secure theconnector body and the crimp ring to the fiber optic cable.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing thesame as described herein, including the detailed description thatfollows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description present embodiments that are intendedto provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature andcharacter of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included toprovide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporatedinto and constitute a part of this specification. The drawingsillustrate various embodiments and together with the description serveto explain the principles and operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example fiber optic cable assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the example fiber optic cable assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example connector body and twolocking elements according to one or more embodiments described andillustrated herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example crimp ring according to oneor more embodiments described and illustrated herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example crimp body according to oneor more embodiments described and illustrated herein; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of an example fiber optic cable assemblyaccording to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used torefer to like components or parts.

The concepts disclosed herein are related to connector assemblies andfiber optic cable assemblies including a crimp ring and a crimp body tosecurely attach the connector assembly to a fiber optic cable.Embodiments may be utilized to attach a connector assembly to a type offiber optic cable that it was not designed to be attached to. As anon-limiting example, the connector may be a Evolv hardened opticalconnector sold by Corning Optical Communications of Hickory, N.C., andthe fiber optic cable may be a dual drop fiber optic cable having asub-unit surrounded by strength members and a cable jacket.

More particularly, strength members of the fiber optic cable are pulledback over a crimp body that is disposed on the cable jacket of the fiberoptic cable. A crimp ring is then crimped over the strength members andthe crimp body to secure the crimp ring to the strength members and thecrimp body. At least one locking element is used to secure a connectorbody of the connector to the crimp ring. Heat shrink elements are usedto provide environmental sealing.

Various embodiments of connectors, fiber optic cable assemblies, andmethods of fabricating the same are described in detail below.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an example fiber optic cable assembly 100comprising a connector assembly 110 coupled to an end of a fiber opticcable 190. FIG. 1A illustrates the fiber optic cable assembly 100 in anassembled state while FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the fiber opticcable assembly 100. The connector assembly 110 generally comprises,among other components, a connector body 120, a crimp ring 140, a crimpbody 160, a first heat shrink element 130, and a second heat shrinkelement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fiber optic cable 190 comprises adual drop fiber optic cable. Referring to FIG. 1B, the fiber optic cable190 is illustrated as a prepared dual drop fiber optic cable that isready to receive the fiber optic connector 110. That is, various layersof the fiber optic cable 190 have been stripped to receive the connectorassembly 110. The example fiber optic cable 190 includes a cable jacket191, strength members 192, and a sub-unit 193. The sub-unit 193comprises a sub-unit jacket 194, inner strength members 195, a tightbuffer 196, and an optical fiber 197.

The optical fiber 197 may include a core and a cladding to guide lightby total internal reflection. The core and cladding are not illustratedin FIG. 1B, but together define the optical fiber 197 and may compriseglass (e.g., germanium-doped silica). The tight buffer 196 surrounds theoptical fiber 197 to protect the optical fiber 197 from the environmentand mechanical loads. As a non-limiting example, the tight buffer 196may comprise a primary coating, and a secondary coating that surroundsthe primary coating. The primary coating may be an acrylic polymer orthe like. The secondary coating may comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polyurethane, polyolefin, or the like.

The inner strength members 195 are disposed around the tight buffer 196to provide mechanical strength to the fiber optic cable 190. The innerstrength members 195 may be any suitable type of material, such as rigidglass-reinforced plastic (GRPs) or tensile yarns such as aramid,fiberglass, Kevlar® or the like that are flexible and provide tensilestrength. Surrounding the inner strength members 195 is a sub-unitjacket 194. The material of the sub-unit jacket 194 may include, but isnot limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), a UVcurable resin (e.g. acrylate), or a fluoro-compound.

Strength members 192 are disposed around the sub-unit 193 to provideadditional mechanical strength to the fiber optic cable 190. The innerstrength members 195 may be any suitable type of material, such as GRPsor flexible yarns such as aramid, fiberglass, Kevlar® or the like. Thecable jacket 191 surround the strength members 192. Non-limitingmaterials for the cable jacket 111 include PVC, polyethylene PE, a UVcurable resin (e.g. acrylate), or a fluoro-compound.

The connector body 120 may take on any configuration. In the embodimentshown by FIGS. 1A and 1B, the connector body 120 is configured as ahardened SC connector with a defined single fiber connection interface.The connector body 120 generally comprises a first end 121A, a secondend 121B and a body passageway 127 (FIG. 5) between the first end 121Aand the second end 121B. The second end 121B of the connector body 120includes at least one body aperture 125 that extends through theconnector body 120 to the body passageway 127. The at least one bodyaperture 125 is sized for receiving at least one locking element 170 forsecuring the connector body 120 to the crimp ring 140, the crimp body160 and the fiber optic cable 190, as described in more detail below.FIG. 2 is a partial view of an example second end 121B of a connectorbody 120 having two body apertures 125 for receiving two lockingelements 170. The at least one body aperture 125 may be formed bydrilling one or more holes through the second end 121B, for example. Asa non-limiting example, the locking elements 170 may be configured aslocking buttons having an insertion portion 171 extending from a flangeportion 172. The locking element 170 may have a symmetric or asymmetricdesign. However, it should be understood that the at least one lockingelement 170 may take on other configurations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example crimp ring 140 as is shown in FIG. 1B. Thecrimp ring has a first end 141A, a second end 141B, a taper portion 146between the first end 141A and the second end 141B, and a crimp ringpassageway 147. The diameter of the first end 141A is smaller than thediameter of the second end 141B, and the diameter of the taper portion146 increases in a direction from the first end 141A to the second end141B. The crimp ring 140 further includes at least one crimp ringaperture 145 at the second end 141B. The at least one crimp ringaperture 145 is sized to also receive the at least one locking element170 as described above with respect to the body aperture 125.

The crimp ring 140 is fabricated from a deformable material that can becrimped around the crimp body 160 as described below. As a non-limitingexample, the crimp ring 140 may be made of a metal material.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example crimp body 160 as is shown in FIG. 1B. Thecrimp body 160 has a first end 161A, a second end 161B, and a crimp bodypassageway 167 between the first end 161A and the second end 161B. Thecrimp body 160 is configured to provide a rigid surface onto which thecrimp ring 140 is crimped. In some embodiments, the outer surface of thefirst end 161A of the crimp body 160 includes one or more crimp features162 to receive the second end 141B of the crimp ring 140 and improve therigid coupling between the crimp ring 140 and the crimp body 160. Thecrimp features 162 may be indentations or piercings that are formed inthe crimp body 160. The crimp features 162 may take on any geometry,such as circles, ovals, lines, and the like.

The first heat shrink element 130 and the second heat shrink 150 elementmay be made of any material capable of shrinking in size upon theapplication of heat. A non-limiting heat shrink material includespolyolefin. As described in more detail below, the first heat shrinkelement 130 provides sealing from the environment and also assists insecuring the connector 110 to the fiber optic cable 190.

The at least one locking element 170, the crimp ring 140, the crimp body160, and the first heat shrink element 130 cooperate to secure theconnector 110 to the fiber optic cable 190. FIG. 5 illustrates a crosssection view of an example connector 110 coupled to an example fiberoptic cable 190. The fiber optic cable 190 is prepared such that aportion of the cable jacket 191 is stripped away to expose the sub-unit193 and the strength members 192. The strength members 192 are trimmedsuch that at least some of them are pulled back in a direction away fromthe end of the fiber optic cable 190 receiving the connector 110.

The fiber optic cable is disposed through the crimp body passageway 167of the crimp body 160 such that the crimp body 160 contacts the cablejacket 191. In some embodiments, an end face of the cable jacket 191abuts an inner shoulder 168 of the crimp body 160 such that the innershoulder 168 acts as a stop for the cable jacket 191. The strengthmembers 192 are pulled back such that they are disposed on the outersurface of the crimp body 160 and contact the crimp features 162.

The crimp ring 140 is disposed on the fiber optic cable 190 such thatthe exposed sub-unit 193 is within the crimp ring passageway 147 at thefirst end 141A, and the crimp body 160 is disposed within the crimp ringpassageway 147 at the second end 141B. The second end 141B of the crimpring 140 is crimped to the crimp body 160 such that the strength members192 are between the crimp body 160 and the crimp ring 140, and withinthe crimp features 162 of the crimp body 160. The crimp ring 140 may becrimped to the strength members 192 and the crimp body 160 by a crimpingtool, for example. Thus, the crimp ring 140 and the crimp body 160 aresecured to the fiber optic cable 190 by way of the strength members 192.

In some embodiments, the second heat shrink element 150 is disposedaround the interface of the tight buffer 196 and the sub-unit jacket 194to secure the sub-unit strength members that are between the sub-unitjacket 194 and the tight buffer 196. Heat is applied to the second heatshrink element 150 to shrink it to the tight buffer 196 and the sub-unitjacket 194.

The first end 161A of the crimp ring 140 is disposed within bodypassageway 127 such that the at least one crimp ring aperture 145 of thecrimp ring 140 with the at least one body aperture 125 of the connectorbody 120. The connector body 120 is secured to the crimp ring 140 (andthus the crimp body 160 and the fiber optic cable 190) by the at leastone locking element 170 disposed within the at least one body aperture125 and the at least one crimp ring aperture 145. The at least one bodyaperture 125, the at least one crimp ring aperture 145 and the at leastone locking element 170 may be configured so that the at least onelocking element 170 is non-removable from the at least one body aperture125 and the at least one crimp ring aperture 145. For example, thecomponents may mate by a non-removable press fit. In other embodiments,the at least one locking element 170 is removable from the at least onebody aperture 125 and the at least one crimp ring aperture 145.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the first heat shrink element 130 is securelydisposed over the second end 121B of the connector body 120, the secondend 141B of the crimp ring 140, and a portion of the cable jacket 191.The first heat shrink element 130 may assist in maintaining the at leastone locking element 170 in the at least one body aperture 125 and the atleast one crimp ring aperture 145.

The optical fiber within the tight buffer 196 is within the bodypassageway 127. The body passageway 127 may be sized such that the tightbuffer 196 portion of the fiber optic cable 190 may buckle along abuckle length BL. A ferrule assembly 129 is also disposed within thebody passageway 127, and is biased by a spring element 123. The tightbuffer 196 is stripped away at the very end of the fiber optic cable 190to expose the optical fiber 197 (not shown in FIG. 5). The optical fiber197 is inserted into, and maintained by, the ferrule assembly 129.

Thus, the connector 110 is secured to the fiber optic cable 190. Stillreferring to FIG. 5, one side of the insertion portion 171 of the atleast one locking element 170 is used for transferring pull force andthe other side is designed to deform during the press-fit to overcometolerances. One locking element 170 may be used; however, at least twolocking elements 170 may spread the load distribution more evenly intothe connector body 120. Furthermore, the assembly process can bedesigned to press the locking element contrary on one axis to eachother. The correct orientation of the locking elements may be providedby jigs and figures, for example.

For cable pull force transfer, the locking element 170 is designed inrelation with the connector body 120 to resist the maximum load beforedeforming. Due to the adhesive of the first heat sink element 130, theentire assembly becomes locked down at the connector end.

The crimp ring 140 is designed to grab the strength members 192 at itsposition on the fiber optic cable 190. Pull forces on the strengthmembers 192 are directed from the fiber optic cable 190 without anyfreedom of movement for the strength members 192 (e.g., slack).

Strain relief is provided by compression of the cable jacket 191, whichcompresses the strength members 192. In some embodiments, only thetensile yarns such the Kevlar® of the strength members 192 is disposedbetween the crimp ring 140 and the crimp body 160. Thus, the glass yarnis cut short and not folded back. This may be done for space constrains.However, in some embodiments the glass yarn is folded back.

To resist cable bending, the complete cable end is inserted andsupported in the connector 110. This reduces the stain relief length andminimizes connector length. This design reduces the generated moment onthe connector body interface during a side pull of the fiber opticcable, and causes higher reliability.

To resist cable torsion, the crimp body is compressed with cable jacket191, as well as the first heat shrink element 130. The two notches atthe connector body 120 interact with the crimp body torsion wings. Toresist pull load, several mechanism work together to demarcate the fiberoptic cable components relative to each other. The main pull force willbe transferred by the strength members 192 through the crimp body 160.The at least one locking element 170 is designed to transfer the loadfrom the crimp body 160 into the connector body 120. To strengthen thestrength member crimp, a metal to metal crimp connection is designed byfabricating both the crimp ring 140 and the crimp body 160 from metal.As a non-limiting example, the crimp ring 140 and the crimp body 160 maybe fabricated from an aluminum alloy. To avoid strength member slippage,the crimp ring 140 is locked on the crimp body 160. The bigger wallthickness of the front of the crimp body front causes the locking aftercrimping, due to the bigger outer radius of the crimp body 160. Further,the crimp features create further locking forces between the crimp ring140 and the crimp body 160.

The first heat shrink element 130 supports pull force transfer on thecable jacket 191 in the connector body 120. The crimp body 160 grabs thecable jacket 191 and strain relieves it. To resist cable press-in forceduring installation, the design transfers the load from the jacket intothe connector body. Sealing is provided by the first heat element 130.The adhesive inside the first heat shrink element 130 bond the cablejacket 191 and the connector body 120 to seal off any potential leakpaths.

Embodiments are also directed to methods of fabricating a fiber opticcable assembly. Referring generally to FIGS. 1B and 5, the method firstincludes preparing a dual drop fiber optic cable. Preparing the dualdrop fiber optic cable includes stripping a portion of the cable jacket191 to expose strength members 192 and the sub-unit 193, trimming aportion of the strength members 192, stripping a portion of the sub-unitjacket 194 and the inner strength members 195 to expose the tight buffer196, and stripping a portion of the tight buffer 196 to expose theoptical fiber 197.

Next, the first heat shrink is disposed on the cable jacket 191, and thesecond heat shrink element 150 is disposed on a portion of the sub-unitjacket 194 and a portion of the tight buffer 196. Heat is applied to thesecond heat shrink element 150 to secure the inner strength members 195.The crimp body 160 is disposed on the cable jacket 191. The methodfurther includes pulling back at least a portion of the strength members192 so that they are adjacent the crimp body 160.

Next, the crimp ring 140 is disposed on the crimp body 160 such that thefirst end 161A of the crimp ring 140 surrounds the sub-unit 193. Themethod includes applying a crimping force to crimp the crimp ring 140 tothe crimp body 160 at the one or more crimp features 162, which locksthe strength members 192 in between the crimp ring 140 and the crimpbody 160. Then, the method includes inserting the dual drop fiber opticcable 190 and the crimp ring 140 into a body passageway 127 of aconnector body 120. The at least one body aperture 125 of the connectorbody 120 is aligned with the at least one crimp ring aperture 145 of thecrimp ring 140. The at least one locking element 170 is inserted intothe at least one body aperture 125 of the connector body 120 and the atleast one crimp ring aperture 145 of the crimp ring 140 to secure theconnector body 120 to the crimp ring 140. Then, heat is applied to thefirst heat shrink element 130 to secure the connector body 120 and thecrimp ring 140 to the fiber optic cable 190.

It should now be understood that embodiments of the present disclosureare directed to fiber optic cable assemblies having a connector assemblysecurely attached to a fiber optic cable assembly by use of a crimp ringand a crimp body. The strength members of the fiber optic cable arecrimped between the crimp ring and the crimp body. Thus, the strengthmembers are utilized to secure the crimp ring and the crimp body to thefiber optic cable. Additionally, at least one locking element is used tolock a connector body of the connector to the crimp ring, and a heatshrink element is used to provide sealing and strain relief functions.

Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described herein withreference to explanatory embodiments and specific examples thereof, itwill be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the disclosure and are intended to becovered by the appended claims. It will also be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madeto the concepts disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe same. Thus, it is intended that the present application cover themodifications and variations provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A fiber optic cable assembly comprising: a fiber optic cablecomprising an optical fiber, strength members and a cable jacket; and aconnector assembly comprising: a connector body comprising a first end,a second end, a body passageway extending from the first end to thesecond end, and at least one body aperture at the second end; a crimpring comprising a first end, a second end, a crimp ring passagewayextending from the first end to the second end, and at least one crimpring aperture at the second end, wherein the first end has a smallerdiameter than the second end; a crimp body comprising a first end, asecond end, a crimp body passageway extending between the first end andthe second end, and one or more crimp features; and at least one lockingelement; wherein: the fiber optic cable is disposed within the crimpbody passageway, the crimp ring passageway, and the body passageway; thecrimp body is crimped to the cable jacket such that the strength memberswrap around an outer surface of the cable jacket and are disposedbetween the crimp body and the cable jacket; the second end of the crimpring is crimped to the crimp body such that at least a portion of thesecond end of the crimp ring is disposed within the one or more crimpfeatures; the first end of the crimp ring is disposed within the bodypassageway; and the at least one locking element is disposed within theat least one body aperture and the at least one crimp ring aperture tosecure the crimp ring to the connector body.
 2. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 1, further comprising a first heat shrink elementdisposed about the connector body, the second end of the crimp ring, andthe cable jacket.
 3. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 2, whereinthe fiber optic cable further comprises a sub-unit that maintains theoptical fiber and is surrounded by the strength members.
 4. The fiberoptic cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second heat shrinksurrounding a tight buffer surrounding the optical fiber that is withinthe sub-unit and a sub-unit jacket of the sub-unit.
 5. The fiber opticcable assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more crimp features areone or more indentations in the crimp body.
 6. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 1, wherein the body passageway comprises a bucklecavity.
 7. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the atleast one locking element comprise at least one locking buttoncomprising an insertion portion and a flange portion.
 8. The fiber opticcable assembly of claim 1, wherein the strength members comprises glassyarn and tensile yarn.
 9. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1,further comprising a ferrule assembly disposed within the bodypassageway.
 10. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein: theat least one body aperture comprises a first body aperture and a secondbody aperture; the at least one crimp ring aperture comprises a firstcrimp ring aperture and a second crimp ring aperture; and the at leastone locking element comprises a first locking element and a secondlocking element.
 11. A fiber optic cable assembly comprising: a dualdrop fiber optic cable comprising an optical fiber, a sub-unit, strengthmembers surrounding the sub-unit, and a cable jacket surrounding thestrength members; a connector assembly comprising: a connector bodycomprising a first end, a second end, a body passageway extending fromthe first end to the second end, and at least one body aperture at thesecond end; a crimp ring comprising a first end, a second end, a crimpring passageway extending from the first end to the second end, and atleast one crimp ring aperture at the second end, wherein the first endhas a smaller diameter than the second end; a crimp body comprising afirst end, a second end, a crimp body passageway extending between thefirst end and the second end, and one or more crimp features; at leastone locking element; a first heat shrink element; and a second heatshrink element; wherein: the dual drop fiber optic cable is disposedwithin the crimp body passageway, the crimp ring passageway, and thebody passageway; the crimp body is crimped to the cable jacket such thatthe strength members wrap around an outer surface of the cable jacketand are disposed between the crimp body and the cable jacket; the secondend of the crimp ring is crimped to the crimp body such that at least aportion of the second end of the crimp ring is disposed within the oneor more crimp features; the first end of the crimp ring is disposedwithin the body passageway and the sub-unit is disposed within the crimpring passageway; the at least one locking element is disposed within theat least one body aperture and the at least one crimp ring aperture tosecure the crimp ring to the connector body; the first heat shrinkelement disposed about the connector body, the second end of the crimpring, and the cable jacket; and the second heat shrink element surroundsa tight buffer surrounding the optical fiber that is within the sub-unitand a sub-unit jacket of the sub-unit.
 12. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more crimp features are one ormore indentations in the crimp body.
 13. The fiber optic cable assemblyof claim 11, wherein the body passageway comprises a buckle cavity. 14.The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least onelocking element comprise at least one locking button comprising aninsertion portion and a flange portion.
 15. The fiber optic cableassembly of claim 11, wherein the strength members comprises glass yarnand tensile yarn.
 16. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 11,further comprising a ferrule assembly disposed within the bodypassageway.
 17. A connector assembly comprising: a connector bodycomprising a first end, a second end, a body passageway extending fromthe first end to the second end, and at least one body aperture at thesecond end; a crimp ring comprising a first end, a second end, a crimpring passageway extending from the first end to the second end, and atleast one crimp ring aperture at the second end, wherein the first endhas a smaller diameter than the second end; a crimp body comprising afirst end, a second end, a crimp body passageway extending between thefirst end and the second end, and one or more crimp features; and atleast one locking element; wherein: the second end of the crimp ring isconfigured to be crimped to the crimp body such that at least a portionof the second end of the crimp ring is disposed within the one or morecrimp features; the first end of the crimp ring is disposed within thebody passageway; and the at least one locking element is disposed withinthe at least one body aperture and the at least one crimp ring apertureto secure the crimp ring to the connector body.
 18. The connectorassembly of claim 17, wherein the one or more crimp features are one ormore indentations in the crimp body.
 19. The connector assembly of claim17, wherein the body passageway comprises a buckle cavity.
 20. Theconnector assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one locking elementcomprises at least one locking button comprising an insertion portionand a flange portion.
 21. A method of fabricating a fiber optic cableassembly, the method comprising: preparing a dual drop fiber optic cablecomprising an optical fiber, a sub-unit, strength members surroundingthe sub-unit, and a cable jacket surrounding the strength members,wherein the sub-unit comprises a tight buffer surrounding the opticalfiber, inner strength members surrounding the tight buffer, and asub-unit jacket surrounding the inner strength members; disposing afirst heat shrink element on the cable jacket; disposing a second heatshrink element on a portion of the sub-unit jacket and a portion of thetight buffer, and a providing heat to the second heat shrink element;disposing a crimp body on the cable jacket, wherein the crimp bodycomprises a first end, a second end, a crimp body passageway extendingbetween the first end and the second end, and one or more crimpfeatures; pulling back at least a portion of the strength members sothat they are adjacent the crimp body; disposing a crimp ring on thecrimp body, wherein: the crimp body comprises a first end, a second end,a crimp ring passageway extending from the first end to the second end,and at least one crimp ring aperture at the second end, wherein thefirst end has a smaller diameter than the second end; and the sub-unitis disposed within the crimp ring passageway at the first end and thecrimp body is disposed within the crimp ring passageway at the secondend; applying a crimping force to crimp the crimp ring to the crimp bodyat the one or more crimp features; inserting the dual drop fiber opticcable and the crimp ring into a body passageway of a connector body,wherein the connector body comprises a first end, a second end, the bodypassageway extending from the first end to the second end, and at leastone body aperture at the second end; aligning the at least one bodyaperture of the connector body with the at least one crimp ring apertureof the crimp ring; inserting at least one locking element into the atleast one body aperture of the connector body and the at least one crimpring aperture of the crimp ring to secure the connector body to thecrimp ring; and applying heat to the first heat shrink element to securethe connector body and the crimp ring to the dual drop fiber opticcable.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein preparing the dual drop fiberoptic cable comprises: stripping a portion of the cable jacket to exposestrength members and the sub-unit; trimming a portion of the strengthmembers; stripping a portion of the sub-unit jacket and the sub-unitstrength members to expose the tight buffer; and stripping a portion ofthe tight buffer to expose the optical fiber.
 23. The method of claim21, wherein the one or more crimp features are one or more indentationsin the crimp body.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the bodypassageway comprises a buckle cavity.
 25. The method of claim 21,wherein the at least one locking element comprises at least one lockingbutton comprising an insertion portion and a flange portion.
 26. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the strength members comprises glass yarnand tensile yarn.
 27. The method of claim 21, further comprisinginserting the optical fiber into a ferrule assembly disposed within thebody passageway.